17/12/2024

Ultimate Guide on how to protect yourself from Heating Oil Theft this winter

Heating oil theft can happen at any time of year, but it is most common and damaging during the winter months. This is due to tanks typically being at full capacity, high demand, and therefore, increased oil prices. Staying vigilant and taking proactive measures can help secure your heating oil and reduce the risk of theft. Let’s look at some of the steps you can take to protect your heating oil this winter.

1.Hide your tank

Roofs are an effective way to conceal your oil tank. Thieves often use Google Maps to locate oil tanks to target, but a roof over your tank will hide it from satellite images. Additionally, you can use fences, bushes, or similar items to block the tank from view for those passing by. Furthermore, consider covering your tank with camouflage covers or placing it inside an outdoor building, such as a shed. However, be aware of the safety regulations that apply to outdoor structures., including:

• 1.8m away from non-fire rated eaves of a building
• 1.8m away from non-fire rated buildings such as a shed
• 1.8m away from openings of fire-rated building or structure
• 1.8m away from the oil-firre appliance terminals
• 1.8m away from oil-firred appliance terminals
• 760mm away from non-fire rated boundary

2. Steel tank

Installing a steel oil tank instead of a plastic one can help prevent oil theft. Thieves will make holes in plastic tanks to drain the oil. Steel tanks are much more durable and harder to make holes in, therefore making the oil extraction much more tricky. If a thief attempts to steal oil from a metal tank, the noise is also more likely to alert you to the situation – potentially stopping the theft before it occurs.

3.Bunded tanks

Choosing a bunded oil tank at the time of purchase and installation can help prevent oil tank theft. Bunded tanks feature a double layer; if a thief tries to puncture the outer layer, the oil will be safe within the inner tank. Bunded tanks are also more difficult to steal from and take longer to break into, which may alert you to attempted theft.

4.Install an Alarm or Gauge 

Installing an oil tank alarm will alert you when your oil level drops, potentially indicating that someone has stolen some of your oil. You can connect the alarm to a phone or an indoor device, allowing it to notify you 24/7 and provide remote alerts if linked to your phone. 

Gauges are attached to the tank, but you will need to check these manually by looking at the device. This is an affordable way to monitor your oil tank level. While these methods primarily serve as notifications for oil tank theft rather than prevention, they can also be used as evidence when reporting incidents to authorities or your insurance provider.

5.Lock it up

Secure your oil tank with a high-quality padlock. It doesn’t need to be a specialised oil tank lock; a durable all-weather combination lock will work just as well. Your oil tank cap should have eyelets that allow you to insert a padlock. If your cap doesn’t have these holes, consider purchasing a locking bar to use a padlock. This added security can deter oil thieves or at least slow them down. When used alongside other methods, such as cameras, locks can significantly reduce the risk of theft.

6.Install a spinning cap:

When the spinning caps are locked, they can rotate freely, preventing them from being removed. The only way to overcome spinning caps is by using excessive force, such as with crowbars or similar tools, which will likely be ineffective in this scenario. Spinning caps are also ideal for individuals who do not have eyelets on their caps and cannot use a padlock.

7.Install CCTV Cameras

Installing CCTV around your oil tank can serve as a strong deterrent against thieves and provide crucial evidence in the event of a theft. There are many affordable camera options available, such as those from Ring. CCTV cameras allow you to view real-time footage and send alerts when someone is detected near the camera. This means you will be notified if someone is tampering with your oil tank or attempting to steal your oil. If you notice someone frequently hanging around your oil tank or behaving suspiciously, you can increase your security measures.

8.Add lighting

Installing a motion sensor light near your oil tank can deter potential thieves from your garden area. The light will also alert you if someone is near your oil tank, allowing you to prevent the theft before it occurs.

9.Putting stones or gravel around your oil tank.

Stones will alert you if someone is walking around your oil tank, thanks to the sound. They may also deter thieves, as they might think they are making too much noise and leave the area.

10.Oil tank cage

An oil tank cage is an effective way to prevent oil tank theft. It provides an additional barrier around your oil tank while allowing enough space for maintenance and heating oil deliveries. The cage must be securely bolted or cemented to the ground. However, these cages can take up a lot of space and may not be visually appealing for everyone. If desired, you can decorate your cage with camouflage covers to improve how it looks.

11.Plant bushes around your oil tank.

Planting bushes around your oil tank can serve multiple purposes. It acts as a deterrent against thieves by creating a barrier and obscuring the oil tank from view. Using prickly bushes can help prevent theft and alert you to any attempted break-ins.

12.Insurance

While not a preventive measure, getting an insurance policy for your tank and its contents is an excellent way to safeguard your tank, oil, and property against the risk of oil tank theft. A theft can lead to property damage and may also cause issues with your tank; for example, thieves often drill a hole in the tank to steal the oil, resulting in spills and leaks, which can be very costly for the owner.

As well as practicing some of the self-maintenance techniques mentioned above, you can schedule an inspection by an OFTEC engineer. Our technicians can tell whether your tank has been tampered with and suggest ways to prevent it from becoming a victim of oil theft. If you believe your oil tank is leaking due to damage from oil theft, schedule an oil tank removal, or request our emergency service. If theft isn’t your concern, but you’re looking to replace your oil tank, or even install a new one, contact a member of our team today.